Timber Rattlers fall to Snappers in season opener

BELOIT - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers lost to the Beloit Snappers 4-3 in 11 innings on Thursday in the Midwest League season opener.

Beloit’s Jack Meggs scored the winning run. He was a pinch-runner at second base for Miguel Mercedes, who started the inning at second base under the new extra-inning rule in the minor leagues.

Skyler Weber then bunted toward third base for a hit and Rattlers third baseman Gabriel Garcia, who had entered the game as a pinch-runner the previous inning, threw the ball away allowing Meggs to score the winning run.

Pat McInerney hit a solo home run in the second inning to give Wisconsin a 1-0 lead.

After Beloit tied the game with a run in the third, the Timber Rattlers regained the lead in the top of the fifth when Joantgel Segovia led off with a bunt single and scored on a double to center field by Payton Henry.

Beloit got a run in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 2-2 and it stayed that way until the 10th.

Trevor Morrison started the 10th inning as the runner at second base for Wisconsin. Tristen Lutz led off with a sacrifice bunt to send Morrison to third, then Morrison scored on a balk with Demi Orimoloye at the plate.

Beloit got its run in the bottom of the 10th when Jake Lumley scored on a wild pitch.

Bowden Francis was the opening day starter for Wisconsin. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs. Carlos Herrera pitched four innings of one-hit relief, striking out three, before Benoit took the loss in the 11th.